System and Method for Acquiring Position of Rolling Stock

ABSTRACT

A system to determine a location of rolling stock, the system including a transmitting device proximate a surface on which a rolling stock rides upon, a signal comprising at least one of location data and unique identification data of the transmitting device that is emitted from the transmitting device only when the rolling stock is proximate the transmitting device, and a receiving device that receives the signal.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a rail and train system and, more particularly, to a system and method for acquiring an exact position of rolling stock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fixed rail transportation systems that include one or more a rail vehicles traveling over spaced apart rails of a railway track have been an efficient way of moving cargo and people from one geographical location to another. In densely populated countries and countries having an unimproved road transportation systems, rail vehicles may be the primary means for moving people and cargo. Accordingly, there are probably millions of miles of railroad track throughout the world that need to be maintained to provide safe rail transportation.

As rail and train systems evolve into smarter computer based platforms, the need to know a precise location of a train, or rolling stock, is appreciated. This need is especially needed when the rolling stock is in remote areas where traditional location detecting systems may not be accurate and knowing whether or not such systems are accurate or not is not readily determinable. For example, for some smarter computer based platforms even though GPS is available, a secondary independent system is also required so as to provide the required data integrity to insure that safety critical decisions are made.

Various secondary systems have been proposed, but such systems may be susceptible to malfunctions and/or failures wherein knowing that a malfunction/failure occurred may not be readily determined. Because of the vastness of the network of railway tracks, a cost effective secondary system would be appreciated where the cost to install and maintain the system is preferred.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed towards a system and method for acquiring an exact position of rolling stock. Towards this end, a system to determine a location of rolling stock is disclosed. The system includes a transmitting device proximate a surface on which a rolling stock rides upon. A signal is also disclosed. The signal has location data and/or unique identification data of the transmitting device. The signal is emitted from the transmitting device when the rolling stock is proximate the transmitting device. A receiving device that receives the signal is also disclosed.

In another exemplary embodiment a system for determining a location of a train is disclosed. This system includes a sensor proximate a railroad rail, a transmitting device in communication with the sensor, and a signal. The signal has location data and/or unique identification data of the transmitting device which is emitted from the transmitting device when the sensor is activated. A receiving device that receives the signal is also disclosed.

In yet another exemplary embodiment a method for autonomously determining a location of a moving vehicle is disclosed. The method includes activating a transmitting device that transmits a signal when the vehicle is proximate the transmitting device. Upon activating the transmitting device, the signal is emitted. The signal has location data and/or unique identification data of the transmitting device. The signal is received by a receiving device located on the vehicle or proximate the transmitting device so as to determine where the moving vehicle is located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art illustration of a rail attached to a rail tie;

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of the present invention transmitting data; and

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments consistent with the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts. Though the present invention is directed towards a system, method and computerized method for acquiring an exact position of rolling stock, those skilled in the art will recognize how the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments than just with rolling stock. Furthermore, acquiring an exact position of rolling stock may also involve detecting the position, direction traveled, velocity, acceleration, and length of the rolling stock.

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art illustration of a railway rail detached to a railway tie. The railway can also be viewed as the surface upon which the train, rolling stock, and/or vehicle rides upon. Towards this end, even though a railway is disclosed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present invention may be utilized with other surfaces. As illustrated, the rail 10 and the tie 12 are separated by a shoe plate 14. The rail 10 and shoe plate 14 are then secured to the tie 12 by rail spike(s) 16.

FIG. 2 depicts the present invention transmitting data. As illustrated, a sensing device 20, such as a piezo electric pulse generator membrane, is positioned underneath the rail 10 and between the shoe plate 14 and the tie 12. A transmitter 24, or transmitting device, such as a RF transmitter, is proximate the membrane 20. For example in an exemplary embodiment, the transmitter 24 is embedded and/or bored into the railroad tie 12. In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter 24 is positioned within the bed adjacent to the railroad tie 12. The membrane 20 may either be directly connected 23 to the transmitter and/or in another exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication network may be available to allow the membrane 20 to communicate with the transmitter 24.

Though a RF transmitter is discussed above, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other forms of communication equipment may be used in the present invention wherein the signal 26 emitted is not RF. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, Bluetooth technology may be utilized. In another exemplary embodiment, a combination of technologies may be used, such as RF and Bluetooth.

A receiving device 28, 30, or receiver, is located on a train 31 or at a wayside mounted device 33 close to the transmitter 24. In an exemplary embodiment, as the wheels 22 of the locomotive 31, moving stock, vehicle, and/or train, passes over the rail 10 that has the membrane 20 beneath it, the compressive force exerted by the weight of the train 31 activates the membrane 20 wherein an electrical pulse is sent from the membrane 20 to the transmitter 24. Prior to receiving the electrical pulse, the transmitter 24 is passive. In other words, the transmitter 24 is not transmitting. Upon receiving a pulse from the membrane 20, the transmitter 24 emits a signal 26, which contains milestone position data, or unique position data if the transmitter 24 is confined to a certain known location. For example, if the present invention is used within a rail yard, or known location, unique yard position data is transmitted from the transmitter 24.

Thus, if used within a rail yard, in an exemplary embodiment, then the unique yard position data is transmitted to the wayside mounted receiver 28. Whereas, if the present invention is used along a railway network, milestone, or milepost, position data is transmitted back to the train, more than likely the locomotive, where the receiver 30 is located. Though the wayside mounted receiver 28 is discussed above as being located within a rail yard, those skilled in the art, however, will also recognize that wayside mounted receivers 28 may also be used within a railway network so as to provide train location data to a wayside device 33 for use in performing a defined function.

In operation, when used in a rail network where the locomotive 31 may need to acquire real time accurate train position data, the present invention with autonomously provide milepost data whenever the wheels 22 of a train 31 passes over the present invention. The train 31 is then able to pass off this milepost data to its systems and/or sub-systems that require such information. To insure reliability, redundancy, sequence numbers, and/or source data bits, built in tests (BITs) may also be added for improved data integrity as needed for safety critical decisions that utilizes position data, it is important that the integrity of the position data be commensurable to the hazard risk associated with the use of the position data.

When the present invention is installed within a rail yard, or hump yard, the present invention will autonomously generate a signal 26 encoded with specific yard position data whenever the wheel 22 of rolling stock 31 passes over it. The wayside mounted receiver 28 located in the yard will acquire the position data and then pass it along to yard based systems that require such information and can derive rolling stock position. The use of multiple exemplary examples of the present invention in a network environment in combination will allow the derivation of rolling stock movement direction, velocity, acceleration and/or length of the rolling stock. As discussed above, to insure reliability, redundancy, sequence numbers, and/or source data bits, built in tests (BITs) may also be added for improved data integrity as needed for safety critical decisions that utilizes position data. It is important that the integrity of the position data be commensurable to the hazard risk associated with the use of the position data.

Should an element of the present invention fail, fault detection may be accomplished by the present invention when in a networked configuration. The networked configuration can be accomplished in a closed location, such as a hump and/or rail yard, or the network can be formed within a railway network; for example, the railway network that covers the United States.

In an exemplary embodiment, each transmitter is considered a node within the networked configuration. The transmitter 24 and receiver 28, 30 contain elements which link the two devices together. Should the transmitter 24 fail, as an individual node in a networked system, wherein an improper signal is emitted, then the receiver/network will be able to detect the improper signal by reading nodes, other transmitters, before and after the node that failed. Thus if a transmitter is not transmitting proper or reasonable data, the present network of invention nodes in combination with network intelligence would know of this occurrence and would be able to report that information for future repair or invoke fail-safe or degraded modes of operation.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a method of the present invention. As illustrated, the method provides for activating a transmitting device that transmits a signal when the vehicle, rolling stock, or train, is proximate the transmitting device, step 40. Upon activating the transmitting device, the signal emitted has information, or data, pertaining to location data and/or unique identification data of the transmitting device, step 42. The signal is received at a location so as to determine where the moving vehicle is located, step 44. As disclosed previously the location where the signal is received may include vehicle and/or receiving device proximate the transmitting device.

While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the specific illustrative embodiment but be interpreted within the full spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A system to determine a location of rolling stock, the system comprising: a. a transmitting device proximate a surface on which a rolling stock rides upon; b. a signal comprising at least one of location data and unique identification data of the transmitting device that is emitted from the transmitting device when the rolling stock is proximate the transmitting device; and c. a receiving device that receives the signal.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiving device is located at least one of on the rolling stock and at a stationary position proximate the transmitting device.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the location data comprises at least one of milepost data and unique position data within a known space.
 4. The system of claim 1 comprises a plurality of transmitting devices formed in a network.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein the network, signal, and receiving device are used to determine at least one of velocity, acceleration, direction and length of rolling stock.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein a malfunctioning transmitting device within the network is detectable by other transmitting devices in the network.
 7. A system for determining a location of a train, the system comprising: a. a sensor proximate a railroad rail; b. a transmitting device in communication with the sensor; c. a signal comprising at least one of location data and unique identification data of the transmitting device which is emitted from the transmitting device when the sensor is activated; and d. a receiving device that receives the signal.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the sensor comprises an electric pulse generator membrane beneath the railroad rail.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the membrane activates the transmitting device when compressive force is applied to the rail proximate the membrane.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the membrane activates the transmitting device with at least one of an electrical pulse and a wireless signal.
 11. The system of claim 7 wherein the location data comprises at least one of milestone position data and unique rail yard position data.
 12. The system of claim 7 wherein the receiving device is located at least one of on the train and at a stationary wayside location.
 13. The system of claim 7 wherein a plurality of a sensors and transmitting devices form a network.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the network is used to determine at least one of velocity, acceleration, direction and length of the train.
 15. The system of claim 4 wherein a malfunctioning transmitting device within the network is detectable by other transmitting devices in the network.
 16. A method for autonomously determining a location of a moving vehicle, the system comprising: a. activating a transmitting device that transmits a signal when the vehicle is proximate the transmitting device; b. upon activating the transmitting device, emitting the signal that comprises at least one of location data and unique identification data of the transmitting device; and c. receiving the signal so as to determine where the moving vehicle is located.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving the signal comprises at least one of receiving the signal on the vehicle and receiving the signal at a receiving device proximate the transmitting device.
 18. The method of claim 16 wherein emitting a signal comprises radiating an encoded milepost data.
 19. The method of claim 16 further comprises activating the transmitting device with a sensor when the moving vehicles is proximate transmitting device that in turns activates the transmitting device with at least one of an electrical pulse and a wireless signal.
 20. The method of claim 16 further comprises forming a network with a plurality of transmitting devices.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein forming the network further comprises determining at least one of velocity, acceleration, direction and a length of moving vehicle using the network.
 22. The method of claim 20 further comprises determining a malfunctioning transmitting device within the network with other transmitting devices in the network. 